Ratchet-wrench.



L. F. MEYER.

RATCHET WRENCH.

APPLICATION FILED suns s. 1915.

Patented Nov. 23, 1915.

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LUDWIG IE. MEYER, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO.

RATCHET-WRENGH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed J'une 8, 1915. Serial No. 32,822.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, LUDWIG F. MEYER, citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ratchet-Trenches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to wrenches of that type known as ratchet Wrenches in which a socket head is clutched by the oscillation of a handle, for the purpose of turning the head and the nut or part engaged thereby.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved wrench of the type stated which, instead of having a toothed ratchet operated by spring pawls or the like, as com monly used, has a head which is clutched by wedge-shaped segments held between the head and a collar secured to the handle, the wedge acting to clutch or release the head when the handle is moved, by means of inclined surfaces on the collar, behind the wedges respectively. The clutching action between the wedges and the head is assisted by forming the engaging parts with ribs and grooves, to ive a wide friction or clutching surface, an thereby prevent slip under strain, and insure quick release of the wedges on the back stroke.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a plan of the wrench with one cover ring removed. Fig. 2 is a side View of the wrench. Fig. 3 is a vertical section on.

the line 33 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a side view of the head. Fig. 5 is a perspective of one of the wedges.

Referring specifically to the drawings, 6 indicates a handle which is integral or rigid with a collar 7 the inner face of which is formed with or consists of a series of segmental curved inclines 8, forming shoulders 9 therebetween. Against each incline sets a clutching wedge 10, the back of which is curved to correspond with the surface 8, and these wedges form a substantially complete circle of clutching elements held within the collar, so that the head is clutched around its whole periphery.

The head 11 is'provided with suitable angular sockets 12 at opposite ends, to receive a nut or part to be turned. The head is cylindical and may project at both ends beyond the collar. It is held in place by cap rings 13 which are screwed to the opposite ends of the collar and which rest against shoulders 14 extending around the head.

The middle part of the head has a plurality of V-shaped grooves 15 extending around the same, and each wedge 10 has a corresponding row of V-shaped ribs 16 which fit in said grooves when the parts are assembled. These grooves and ribs give extended or multiple gripping surfaces, between the wedges and the head, for the purpose above stated.

In the operation of the wrench, when the handle is moved in the gripping direction the wedges 10 travel up the inclined surfaces and are thereby contracted or forced toward the center to gripping engagement with the head, the ribs 16 closing with pressure into the grooves 15, thereby causing the head to turn with the collar. ()n the back movement the wedges slide down the inclines and release the head. The device has the advantage that a very small movement of the col lar will produce the grip or release, and hence the nut may be adjusted to a fine position. turned over to engage the socket at the opposite side.

What I claim as new is:

1. A wrench comprising a handle and a collar, the latter having a series of inclines around within the same, a series of wedges resting against said inclines, said wedges having ribs on their inner faces, and a head having external grooves receiving said ribs and adapted to be clutched or released by movement of the wedges along the inclines.

2. A wrench comprising a collar provided with a handle, the inside of the collar having a series of inclines, a series of wedges resting against said inclines, the inner faces of said wedges having V-shaped ribs thereon, and a cylindrical head extending through the collar and having a plurality of V- shaped grooves into which said ribs engage. In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LUDWIG F. MEYER. Witnesses:

JOHN A. BOMMHARDT, LOUIS A. MOSES.

flopies of this atent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing; the Commissioner of Patents;

Washington, D. C.

Patented Nov. 23, 1915.

For reverse action the wrench is 

